Abstract
This study investigated the uptake and effects of a common human pharmaceutical, propranolol, on the structure and function of a coastal Baltic Sea model community consisting of macroalga (Ceramium tenuicorne), mussels (Mytilus edulis trossulus), amphipods (Gammarus spp.), water and sediment. The most sensitive species, the mussel, was affected to the same extent as in previous single species studies, while the effects on the amphipod and alga were smaller or even positive compared to experiments performed in less complex test systems. The observed cascade of beneficial effects was a result of inter-specific species interactions that buffered for more severe effects. The poor condition of the mussel led to a feeding shift from alga to mussel by the amphipods. The better food quality, due to the dietary shift, counteracted the effects of the exposure. Less amphipod grazing, together with increased levels of nutrients in the water was favourable for the alga, despite the negative effects of propranolol. This microcosm study showed effects on organisms on different organizational levels as well as interactions among the different components resulting in indirect exposure effects of both functional and structural nature. The combination of both direct and indirect effects would not have been detected using simpler single- or even two-species study designs. The observed structural changes would in the natural environment have a long-term influence on ecosystem function, especially in a low-biodiversity ecosystem like the Baltic Sea.
Highlights
Our knowledge on the potential effects of pharmaceuticals on non-target organisms has increased over the last years, yet there is a lack of studies on the effects of pharmaceuticals on ecosystem structure and function, and on ecosystem processes [1]
Gross Production (GP):R was lower in communities exposed to 1000 mg l21 (P1000) compared to the control (67% lower than control, pair-wise PERMANOVA: p = 0.047) and compared to communities exposed to 100 mg l21 (P100), not significantly (64% lower than P100, pair-wise PERMANOVA: p = 0.075)
A similar pattern was found for the total amount of nitrogen (Tot-N, PERMANOVA: F2,12 = 13.8, p = 0.003), where the concentration in P1000 was higher than in both the control (69% higher, pair-wise PERMANOVA: p = 0.0026) and P100 (56% higher, pair-wise PERMANOVA: p = 0.0067, Table 1)
Summary
Our knowledge on the potential effects of pharmaceuticals on non-target organisms has increased over the last years, yet there is a lack of studies on the effects of pharmaceuticals on ecosystem structure and function, and on ecosystem processes [1]. Ecological buffering capacity and other aspects of ecosystem dynamics and stability can shield the effects of stressors on an ecosystem [6], resulting in less distinct direct effects than can be detected for species or individuals This can for instance occur if several species benefit from the same resources, that is, fulfil the same functional roles with the ability to replace one another’s function in the system, or as a result of positive indirect effects within the system [6]. Theories of ecosystem responses to disturbances, unexpected future ecosystem events and the importance of observing change on larger scales derive from the concept of ecosystem resilience, introduced by Holling [8] and reviewed by for example Ronnback et al [9] for the Baltic Sea context With this in mind, multi-species exposure studies of function and structure are important complements to single-species studies on mechanistic responses, to better understand the possible effects of pharmaceuticals and other environmental contaminants on organisms and ecosystems
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